Restaurants in San Mateo
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Best Restaurants
“First time here. Long line to get in but it moved fairly quickly. Had the Roast beef Aburasoba. Mind-Boggling GOOD! The flavor was out of this world! The service was fantastic!! I can’t wait to go back again!”
“Delicious food and great service! Second time here and my family keeps asking me home back. Staff provides great recommendations and services extremely fast despite having a full house. Definitely one of the better skewer places in the bay!”
“Absolutely delicious! The food was full of flavor and cooked perfectly. The skewers were tender, juicy, and packed with that authentic smoky spice that makes BBQ irresistible. The garlic eggplant was soft and fragrant, bursting with umami, and the vermicelli dish added a nice, tangy contrast. Everything was served hot and fresh, and the presentation made it even more appetizing. If you’re craving real, flavorful Chinese BBQ, this place is a must-try!”
“Fast friendly service. But you’ll be taking a to-go bag home for sure!! I was stuffed!!”
“Excellent food every time we have been… will be back. Everything is great on their menu. 🥰 Tonight we had guest from Montreal, celebrated Mother’s Day and our 23rd Wedding Anniversary! We couldn’t be happier to eat at Vespucci. Manuela and Francesco feel like my southern Italian family. Warm, welcoming, good food and wine and genuine conversation. Love them.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“The outdoor patio was perfect for our Sunday brunch and our 18th Anniversary. We’ve celebrated many occasions at All Spice and have always had a stellar experience with the staff and the food. Our table felt intimate — we were sharing a large space with four other tables, appropriately distanced. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Again, all Covid-19 compliant. The food, oh the food! The Dutch baby was perfectly cooked and the fruit fillings were gorgeous. The chicken sandwich was out of this world. The Mimosa and hard apple cider beverages were on point. We always love our meals at All Spice and this time was no exception. It’s a total gem!”
Restaurants with Delivery
“The outdoor patio was perfect for our Sunday brunch and our 18th Anniversary. We’ve celebrated many occasions at All Spice and have always had a stellar experience with the staff and the food. Our table felt intimate — we were sharing a large space with four other tables, appropriately distanced. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Again, all Covid-19 compliant. The food, oh the food! The Dutch baby was perfectly cooked and the fruit fillings were gorgeous. The chicken sandwich was out of this world. The Mimosa and hard apple cider beverages were on point. We always love our meals at All Spice and this time was no exception. It’s a total gem!”
“Absolutely delicious! The food was full of flavor and cooked perfectly. The skewers were tender, juicy, and packed with that authentic smoky spice that makes BBQ irresistible. The garlic eggplant was soft and fragrant, bursting with umami, and the vermicelli dish added a nice, tangy contrast. Everything was served hot and fresh, and the presentation made it even more appetizing. If you’re craving real, flavorful Chinese BBQ, this place is a must-try!”
“I really enjoyed my Friday morning visit around 10 a.m. There was about a 5-minute wait, a short line, and all the chairs were taken, lots of people standing around and the space was loud and crowded. I was meeting a friend, and even in the bustle we were able to have a wonderful conversation. By about 10:30, the crowd thinned out, and we found a table to enjoy not just our conversation but also some delicious coffee.
She ordered a flat white and loved it, saying it had a caramel-like taste. I had the Tahitian vanilla latte with oat milk (so good!) and an avocado toast. Next time, I’ll definitely order the avocado toast with an egg and try the miso latte the barista recommended.
The café has seating for maybe 15–20 people, either individually or paired up. Overall, a great spot, I’ll definitely be back!”
“Excellent food every time we have been… will be back. Everything is great on their menu. 🥰 Tonight we had guest from Montreal, celebrated Mother’s Day and our 23rd Wedding Anniversary! We couldn’t be happier to eat at Vespucci. Manuela and Francesco feel like my southern Italian family. Warm, welcoming, good food and wine and genuine conversation. Love them.”
“First time trying golden boy pizza and I gotta say; it was one of the best pizzas I ever had. The edges were crispy, the pizza itself was fluffy like a cloud, and the toppings delicious. Definitely coming back again.
Ordered build my own pizza :
Sausage,pepperoni, pesto sauce on top, mushroom, and raw garlic.”
“This has to be one of the best pizza spots in San Mateo. I never would have thought that butter chicken and pizza would work well together but I will happily stand corrected. The pizza was flavorful and made me want to go back for more. This business will see me again for SURE.”
“Amazing service. Great food. Awesome staff! Can’t recommend it more highly.”
“What a find! On our way to international SFO flight, stopped in San Mateo and were delighted by the food, ambience and especially the hosts at La Ronda. The small touches like the crisp tablecloths and napkins, the warm welcome ... and then there's the food. Warm bread served with tasty butter and jalapeno sauce followed by the calamari and lomo saltado. Topped off by arroz con leche. What a beautiful late lunch. Thank you La Ronda for a fun food experience. We will make it a point to return.”
Outdoor Dining
“Fiero Cafe is truly a hidden gem in San Mateo! From the moment you walk in, you can feel the passion and authenticity behind everything they do. Filippo Guarino, the owner, pours his heart into every dish, and it shows. His handcrafted Italian food is nothing short of extraordinary, fresh ingredients, rich flavors, and the kind of attention to detail you only find in true Italian cooking.
I tried the catzo sandwich, and it was fantastic, perfectly balanced and absolutely delicious. On top of the food, Filippo makes you feel like family, welcoming you with warmth and genuine hospitality.
If you’re looking for an authentic Italian dining experience in the Bay Area, Fiero Cafe is a must. Do yourself a favor and go, you’ll leave planning your next visit before you even walk out the door.”
“What a find! On our way to international SFO flight, stopped in San Mateo and were delighted by the food, ambience and especially the hosts at La Ronda. The small touches like the crisp tablecloths and napkins, the warm welcome ... and then there's the food. Warm bread served with tasty butter and jalapeno sauce followed by the calamari and lomo saltado. Topped off by arroz con leche. What a beautiful late lunch. Thank you La Ronda for a fun food experience. We will make it a point to return.”
“It’s probably a good thing I don’t live closer…I can’t get enough of the cannolis! I like the plain cannolis but the wife likes the chocolate dipped ones. Can’t go wrong with the pistachio topping but will have to try with Maraschino cherry on the next visit (was told this is the traditional topping).”
“We had an absolutely lovely experience here! Came for my boyfriend’s birthday, everyone was friendly and attentive. Fantastic high end ambience. The food was almost too beautiful to eat and every one of us thoroughly enjoyed our entrees. One of our guests said it was the best spaghetti he had ever had! The mushroom risotto was perfection. I had the Chilean sea bass and WOW! The salmon was also amazing. The other two guests had roasted chicken and hangar steak… I didn’t get to try them but they looked amazing and everyone cleaned their plate even though we were full lol! We will absolutely be back. Highly recommend!! 5 stars ⭐️”
“The Omakase is always great there, my favorite from the 8 course was the anago. They always update the menu based on seasonal availability of the fish, so its very good. It’s more of an eclectic style of sushi but still enjoyable if that is your style. We also had these fried greeneyed fishes that were stellar. They were incredibly well seasoned and perfectly crispy. The wagyu-tacos are also a must get everytime I go. I got a snow crab handroll that wasn’t quite what I expected but the salmon truffle handroll is amazing. We got the green tea ice cream for dessert and they also gave us a yuzu cheesecake that was delicious. It somehow tasted like passionfruit and yuzu. I’d go back again for that cheesecake!”
“We had an absolutely lovely experience here! Came for my boyfriend’s birthday, everyone was friendly and attentive. Fantastic high end ambience. The food was almost too beautiful to eat and every one of us thoroughly enjoyed our entrees. One of our guests said it was the best spaghetti he had ever had! The mushroom risotto was perfection. I had the Chilean sea bass and WOW! The salmon was also amazing. The other two guests had roasted chicken and hangar steak… I didn’t get to try them but they looked amazing and everyone cleaned their plate even though we were full lol! We will absolutely be back. Highly recommend!! 5 stars ⭐️”
“Enjoyed omakase 8pcs with some age dashi tofu, nigori sake and the white peach panna cotta!”
Online Reservation Available
“Sherash offered impeccable service at our power hour lunchtime, Friday afternoon. The photo you see was a completed service after only 27 minutes from him taking our order. Our chef Brian came from the other Benihana locations (we recognized him from our past trips) and cooked up our food to perfection.
I would highly recommend for a lunch break!”
“A hidden gem of a family-run Italian restaurant—don’t be misled by the humble exterior. Inside, you’re welcomed with genuine hospitality and unforgettable food. My husband and I ordered the filet of sole and the white Provini veal scallopini—both were bursting with flavor and perfectly portioned. This isn’t a place for flashy plating—it’s all about honest, delicious Italian cooking made with care. The host greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel instantly at home. The retro, moody lighting adds a cozy, nostalgic touch. We’ll definitely be back! Tip: Make a reservation—this spot stays busy, and for good reason.”
“White cards = classics. Black cards = riffs. No food except free popcorn. That's about all you need to know to have a good time at this speakeasy located beneath Wursthall. I like to sit at the bar, but if you're >2, the tables are probably better. Friendly staff. Great cocktails.”
“super yum! i had the garlic chili tonkatsu ramen and unagi chazuke and they were great! the chazuke was very satisfying and addicting to eat - the unagi was perfectly cooked and seasoned with a sweet sauce! i felt like the garlic chili tokatsu ramen was a bit overcooked but still very fragrant. a sleeper hit was the shishito pepper tempura - crispy and flavorful!”
“The food service ambiance OMG AMAZING the food you can taste so fresh and tasteful quick service with a smile food was soo amazing I totally forgot to take a pic breakfast club a must try and the pancakes MUST TRY”
24 Hour Restaurants
“What a surprise! The Mapo Tofu was creamy and had a gentle spice that didn’t overpower, while the Dan Dan Noodles were fiery and delicious. The General Tso’s Chicken added the perfect touch of crispy sweetness.”
“The Omakase is always great there, my favorite from the 8 course was the anago. They always update the menu based on seasonal availability of the fish, so its very good. It’s more of an eclectic style of sushi but still enjoyable if that is your style. We also had these fried greeneyed fishes that were stellar. They were incredibly well seasoned and perfectly crispy. The wagyu-tacos are also a must get everytime I go. I got a snow crab handroll that wasn’t quite what I expected but the salmon truffle handroll is amazing. We got the green tea ice cream for dessert and they also gave us a yuzu cheesecake that was delicious. It somehow tasted like passionfruit and yuzu. I’d go back again for that cheesecake!”
Takeout Restaurants
“First of all the owners are absolutely delightful. We got take out and it blew our socks off! Hands down the best egg I have ever had in my life....Seriously, I had waited a long while to come here and when I got a reservation for my husband's birthday it was a magical, moment. We were delighted. We traveled through taste and it suspended time. Satiated and joyous. Wakuriya is the best Japanese I have had in my life. I cannot wait to dine inside, but until then I will treat myself to their fare every month. Truly, a delight of sight, smell, texture and taste. I feel lucky to live in the neighborhood, to be so close to this 魔法の場所. Much Love Everyone, may you eat well, be well and visit Wakyuriya.”
“super yum! i had the garlic chili tonkatsu ramen and unagi chazuke and they were great! the chazuke was very satisfying and addicting to eat - the unagi was perfectly cooked and seasoned with a sweet sauce! i felt like the garlic chili tokatsu ramen was a bit overcooked but still very fragrant. a sleeper hit was the shishito pepper tempura - crispy and flavorful!”
“Lovely mom and pop shop with lots of regulars and smiling faces. Got a dozen donuts and they were a hit with the family. Their muffins aren't bad either. Parking is a bit tough sometimes, but if you don't mind a walk, you can park along the street or in the plaza a block away. Seating is limited. This is really a stop and go kind of place”
“Totoro Ramen is very good for San Mateo standards. It is a good attempt from a non-Japanese ownership. I can tell because I've been going to Japan since the 1990's. We had their chicken karaage $10, black garlic ramen $18 and a tonkotsu ramen $18. The chicken karaage was good because of the light batter, crunchiness and with the two aioli sauces, which made it more delicious. We would order this again in a heartbeat. Although they did give us the oldest wedge of lemon ever with no juice inside.
The broth for the ramen were rich and creamy with a lot of depth. The broth flavor was very good for the black garlic ramen and not so much for the tonkotsu ramen. The tonkotsu broth seemed weaker and not well balanced. It was the opposite for the black garlic ramen where two cloves of garlic were on top and tasted divine. As for the noodles themselves, this fell short. It was missing that kansui consistency that I love. Service is as expected for a fast pace ramen restaurant.
In terms of ambiance, this might not be the best place to have a conversation. It was loud at dinner time. Not the fault of the restaurant, but the tables are right next to one another. These annoying tech older bros were talking very loud about defunct technologies as if they were still relevant.”
“Do you love going to Flavortown? How about dreaming with your eyes open? Then try these birria tacos. The first time I had it was from leftovers that my daughter brought home for lunch. Then I drove from Oakley to San Mateo to have them fresh. It was AMAZING! They provide extra stuff to add to the tacos, but it honestly didn’t need them. The meat was so tender & flavorful that I had to close my eyes so I could fully appreciate the taste. Then I added the extras one by one & it tasted like a new taco each time. I know it seems like I’m exaggerating, but it’s really that good! My only wish is that they had seating nearby & a second location closer to Oakley.”
“Love the pizza! We live in the East Bay but we stop by whenever we pass by San Mateo. We always get a Meat Lovers & the Chicken Pesto!”
“A hidden gem of a family-run Italian restaurant—don’t be misled by the humble exterior. Inside, you’re welcomed with genuine hospitality and unforgettable food. My husband and I ordered the filet of sole and the white Provini veal scallopini—both were bursting with flavor and perfectly portioned. This isn’t a place for flashy plating—it’s all about honest, delicious Italian cooking made with care. The host greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel instantly at home. The retro, moody lighting adds a cozy, nostalgic touch. We’ll definitely be back! Tip: Make a reservation—this spot stays busy, and for good reason.”
“We loved our experience here. Super trendy, delicious meat, great drinks, and wonderful service. Really can’t get any better. I also liked that we didn’t smell like smoke and food after dinner.
Shout out to Luiza our wonderful server!
Favorite items: bulgogi, pork belly, seafood pancake, and wagyu skirt steak
Will absolutely be back!”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“Still the best kept secret in San Mateo. I’m moving tomorrow and this food is what I’m going to miss the most. The portions are generous, the price is affordable, the service can’t be beat. Cash only. Small parking lot. Family owned and operated. The carne asada is delicious! Actually I haven’t had a bad meal here. Take away is available. You won't be disappointed . Skip the la cumbre and pancho villa. Come get the best!”
“OMG, what a wonderful experience. Sam was really good behind the counter, and helped us to some amazing vegan options, such as the Vegan Sub with Meatballs marinara, and another Vegan Philly Steak Sub. Both just wow amazing with high quality vegan organic products (like the organic salad greens from Costco) and vegan meat and cheese from the Butchers Son. Absolutely wonderful!”
“Good food (we had the green papaya salad and the pad kee mao, both excellent). Had we known that the pad kee mao didn't come with tofu we would have asked for it, so next time we will, but that's nitpicking. Very fast service, noticeably so. Location great for those in San Mateo or Foster City (and this restaurant is much better in my mind than Sweet Basil, I'm sorry). The pad kee mao dish was huge and we had to take home half of each plate (we got two, next time one will be enough, but we took it home and plan to enjoy later)”
“Kurodai - Black Seabream Nigiri 3 very strong wasabi, bitter, fishy
Ao Ebi - Blue Shrimp Nigiri 5 very chewy texture, slightly seared, slightly sweet
Hon Maguro Chu-toro - Medium Fatty Blue Fin Tuna Nigiri 5 fat evenly distributed, not stringy at all, melt in your mouth
Negitoro Hosomaki - Supreme Fatty Bluefin Tuna w/ Green Onion (Maki) 4 fatty, rich, fresh, flavorful
Oyster Shooter 2 juicy raw oyster, raw quail egg, tobiko, sake, ponzu, tabasco, very strong alcohol, bitter
Baked Baby Scallop 5 two baked Peru baby scallop, juicy, presented on shell, uni, mayo, unagi sauce, green onion, creamy, rich, flavorful
Iku-Uni-Himo 4 soy sauce marinated ikura / large fish eggs, way too salty, uni, mashed monkfish liver, white truffle oil, flavorful
Mentaiko Yaki Udon 4 pan fried thick wheat flour noodles, crunchy seasoned cod roe, crispy bacon, stir fried thin udon, flavorful
Yuzu Cheesecake 5 glazed crust, strong citrus flavor, creamy”
“Having enjoyed their dishes many times for months, It’s beyond “Very Satisfying”! Excellent, delicious food! Quality well maintained although it is a hard time under C-19. Hygiene suggestions n requests well followed! Thanks 🙏 Customer Service outstanding! Highly recommended 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍”
“I think it must take a lot of effort to source the ingredients to be able to serve sushi of this caliber in San Francisco. It's a great honor to be a fishmonger.‼️”
“First of all the owners are absolutely delightful. We got take out and it blew our socks off! Hands down the best egg I have ever had in my life....Seriously, I had waited a long while to come here and when I got a reservation for my husband's birthday it was a magical, moment. We were delighted. We traveled through taste and it suspended time. Satiated and joyous. Wakuriya is the best Japanese I have had in my life. I cannot wait to dine inside, but until then I will treat myself to their fare every month. Truly, a delight of sight, smell, texture and taste. I feel lucky to live in the neighborhood, to be so close to this 魔法の場所. Much Love Everyone, may you eat well, be well and visit Wakyuriya.”
Cheap Eats
“Came in for the first time and ordered two sandwiches. One, the Pastrami, the other roast beef, both with cheddar and everything on it. The habanero sauce is fire. The ravioli plates. All looked amazing. I gotta go back for some of that action. This might be my new favorite spot.”
“Town of Dumpling – San Mateo
I’ve lived in San Mateo my whole life and somehow never tried Town of Dumpling until now — no idea how I missed it, but I’m really glad I finally went. The food was seriously delicious. The soup dumplings especially were a standout — super flavorful, juicy, and perfectly done. You could tell everything was made fresh and with care.
Prices were totally fair too, which was a nice surprise given how high quality everything was. It’s just one of those spots that does great food without trying too hard to be “trendy.”
Definitely coming back. Can’t believe I slept on this place for so long.”
“Bahn Mi are the best sandwiches in the universe. And these M Sandwiches are
some of the best on our planet.
If you've never had a Vietnamese sandwich, try one here and you'll surely come back again and again.
And, No!
Vietnamese sandwiches are not spicy, but simply delicious, full of fresh and pickled vegetables and your choice of meats . You can add your own slivers of fresh jalapenos, as provided on the side, if you want to spice it up a bit. Friendly, quick service, and delightful tastes and textures.”
“Used to go here basically every Thursday for dinner (I have a class Thursday night and it was easier), and every single time I went there it was incredible. The portions are incredibly generous, the food itself is an 11/10, and authentic too! Staff are incredibly kind, and even got to know me and my parents after a while. I miss going there, I’ll try and support them again.
P.S. They give free chips and salsa with every order if you remember to pick them up! Don’t forget about those!”
“This is a Cloud Kitchen. You order online or in their touchscreen kiosk and wait for your food. It's cook to order. Tried their Mexican food Palmita. They have practically most cuisine Chinese Korean Japanese Indian Mexican Cajun American Mediterranean Italian hope I didn't miss other cuisine. I tried the Mexican first. Will be back for the other cuisine”
“This review is long overdue! I’ve walked by this truck for a while and finally decided to try it out about a month or 2 ago. I’ve been eating here more than any other place since then! The food is fresh and delicious. You can’t beat the price and the owner is incredibly nice and helpful. I’m glad I’ve found a nice place to eat that’s conveniently located. I hope they stay for a long time!”
“Hidden gem on El Camino! I stopped by S El Camino Taqueria on a whim and was shocked the place was empty—this spot deserves way more traffic.
I had the carne asada burrito and every single bite was on point. The meat was tender, flavorful, and perfectly grilled—no weird chewy pieces or filler, just quality carne asada. The ingredients tasted super fresh and well-balanced, like they actually care about what they’re serving.
Bonus points for the salsa bar—especially the avocado salsa verde. Creamy, tangy, a little spicy, and absolutely addictive. I could’ve put that on everything.
Will definitely be back. This place is seriously underrated.”
“Ramen Parlor has been one of my longtime go-to spots in San Mateo — especially for their lobster miso ramen, which I’ve been ordering for years. The flavors are still solid and the broth has that rich seafood depth that makes it stand out from other ramen shops.
That said, I do feel like the dish was better a few years ago — the broth had more complexity and the overall presentation felt a bit more refined back then. It’s still good, just not quite the same standout it once was.
Service is friendly and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming. Definitely worth a visit if you’re craving something different from the usual tonkotsu or shoyu ramen — especially if you haven’t tried their lobster miso bowl before.”
“White cards = classics. Black cards = riffs. No food except free popcorn. That's about all you need to know to have a good time at this speakeasy located beneath Wursthall. I like to sit at the bar, but if you're >2, the tables are probably better. Friendly staff. Great cocktails.”
“Me encanto les pedí un pastelito para mi niño y ellos le cantaron las mañanitas .no lo esperaba me gustó mucho!!!”
“Went to lunch there today Food very tasty and this looks like it would be a fantastic Happy Hour Meet Up!!!!”
“Delicious authentic Brazilian food with amazing service . Fun experience too!”
“Kurodai - Black Seabream Nigiri 3 very strong wasabi, bitter, fishy
Ao Ebi - Blue Shrimp Nigiri 5 very chewy texture, slightly seared, slightly sweet
Hon Maguro Chu-toro - Medium Fatty Blue Fin Tuna Nigiri 5 fat evenly distributed, not stringy at all, melt in your mouth
Negitoro Hosomaki - Supreme Fatty Bluefin Tuna w/ Green Onion (Maki) 4 fatty, rich, fresh, flavorful
Oyster Shooter 2 juicy raw oyster, raw quail egg, tobiko, sake, ponzu, tabasco, very strong alcohol, bitter
Baked Baby Scallop 5 two baked Peru baby scallop, juicy, presented on shell, uni, mayo, unagi sauce, green onion, creamy, rich, flavorful
Iku-Uni-Himo 4 soy sauce marinated ikura / large fish eggs, way too salty, uni, mashed monkfish liver, white truffle oil, flavorful
Mentaiko Yaki Udon 4 pan fried thick wheat flour noodles, crunchy seasoned cod roe, crispy bacon, stir fried thin udon, flavorful
Yuzu Cheesecake 5 glazed crust, strong citrus flavor, creamy”
“Food was tasty and portions large. Recommend the piccata if ylike lemony flavor. Fairly small dining room with a few tables outside. Don't be deceived into not going because the reservation button says there are no tables available.”
“Such a lovely bespoke atmosphere and the cocktails and bar bites are so artfully crafted. My only disappointment was that I only had time to visit once during my time in San Mateo but I hope to return. Cheers!”
“Solidly delicious! The prime rib was great. The Yorkshire pudding and crème brûlée were also standout highlights. In my opinion, it’s not quite on the same level as House of Prime Rib, but it comes pretty close — and it’s way easier to snag a reservation.”
“Having enjoyed their dishes many times for months, It’s beyond “Very Satisfying”! Excellent, delicious food! Quality well maintained although it is a hard time under C-19. Hygiene suggestions n requests well followed! Thanks 🙏 Customer Service outstanding! Highly recommended 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍”
“It looks like a small place from the outside, but the inside is big and the food is delicious. Very strongly suggested.”
“We had the Octapodaki (grilled octopus) which was quiet delicious probably one of the best I had. The Lamb chops were cooked to perfection full of flavor as well as the dessert bread pudding. Will definitely come back again. The staff were very nice and attentive. The vibe inside restaurant is nice.”
“The do called "inclusive" atmosphere is really just an owner who hates everyone who has different views. If your social or political views are woke, you aren't welcome. Spend your money elsewhere. This guy is an idiot.”
“We love Tokie’s and have been regular users since the mid-80s, when it occupied a tiny space in Charter Square in Foster City. They expanded their space significantly but were the casualty of redevelopment. Their old location was displaced by a primary school. The newer location (on 4th Ave in downtown San Mateo) has very nice ambience but the parking can be a challenge during peak demand times like Friday and Saturday dinners. We bring many of our friends to Tokie’s and the response is always very favorable.”
“Love this place! Great food and amazing drinks — the matcha 🍵 is my favorite. The only thing is that once they brought the check, we kind of felt the need to leave even though we were still chatting. It wasn’t a big deal since the place was busy, but just something we noticed. Either way, we’ll definitely come back!”
“Hadn’t been here in nearly 30 years, we moved to Seattle, but back for vacation. Had to have the Cancun platter. Just like I remembered!!”
“Cozy little Japanese restaurant with super friendly servers. The owner works at the counter. I come for Ishiyaki Hitsumamushi (Stone Bowl Seafood Rice) which I don’t think is served anywhere else. I also had tuna bone marrow for appetitzer and black sesame cheesecake for dessert. So many other dishes I want to try so will be back.”
“Was greeted & seated promptly. Welcomed by Manager Hung. Brittany was our waitress & we received the 20th Anniversary Sacks. Happy Anniversary.”
“We love it! This is party tray. Fresh, tasty, thick fish.
Love it every time we order to go, or eat in the restaurant.
There's plenty of parking next street, so that's not a problem at all.
Love their friendly and fast service!”
“Reservation at 7pm. Arrived 6:56 and seated 7:22, not sure what's the point of reserving. Server took our order, then returned when our plate was finished. Never checked in on us, never refilled water. Kitchen forgot our appetizer but it was placed as confirm by our waiter. Clam chowder did have a big piece of undissolved flour. Food was great though, will be back.”
“My group of 7 got to have a late lunch/early dinner from 3:30-5 since they don’t close after lunch - yay! We had two hot pots at this Taiwanese hot pot place. Great to have one Taiwanese in our group and also my Singaporean husband who had way more hot pot places to compare it to like DinTai Fung. They were impressed and said it more affordable than that famous chain from Taiwan. Most enjoyed/loved the spicy bone marrow broth but we also had the regular bone marrow broth and tomato and enjoyed them all - an overall good quality experience in the unlimited items in all you you can eat at the snack and sauce bar, service (with a fun waiter and robot) and atmosphere.”
“I had a life changing dessert here. If you enjoy sweet potato, you must get the beniimo ice cream. The crust of the sweet potato is indescribably light and crispy, and the inside is hot and pillowy with the familiar taste of sweet potato. The vanilla ice cream compliments the hot sweet potato so well. It wasn’t oily at all even though the description says it was fried.
The skewers are also good, notably the chicken thigh and enoki mushroom wrapped in bacon. So juicy and tender and hot. Daikon salad was pretty refreshing as a palate cleanser.
We came on a Friday evening with no reservation and surprisingly got seated very quickly although there was a long waitlist. The skewers smell so good from a block away.”
“sports atmosphere....patrons are awesome, jukebox I love and the bartenders are awesome...”
“Waited approximately one hour to be seated. Spoiker: it was well worth that wait. I ordered the tonkatsu ramen and pork buns. I can't decide which part was better, the noodles or the broth! The pork buns were priced just right at $8 for 2. Some of the best I've had. You are all so lucky to have such a wonderful ramen bar in your community. I am from Maine and will be sure to stop by this establishment every chance I get once I am in town.”
“Love the food n the people who works there. ❤️papaya salad, pad thai. Fried pompano and ground chicken with basil Aroy mak mak 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️”
“Urban Momo San Mateo is a true delight for anyone craving Nepali and Indian flavors. Every dish we tried; from momo and choila to chicken chilly, naan curry, and biryani was packed with authentic taste. The staff are warm and welcoming, making every visit a pleasure. If you’re in the area, this place is an absolute must-try!”
“Thank you for the fresh Uni, and very awesome customer service. Highly recommend!!!”
“I stopped by Shiki by accident, and was pleasantly surprised by their excellent sushi and service. It is a tiny place with a cozy atmosphere and outstanding food. Will certainly come back for more and bring the family there soon.”
“Each meal I’ve had here has been consistently fresh and well-prepared. Did I mention delicious? The staff is friendly and attentive.”
“Wanted Pho kinda late, 9pm, and when looking around this place was open late. Stopped by, as expected seated right away as only a few people in the restaurant at that time. Waitress was great, right away brought a cup of water with extra bottle table side for refills. Already knew I wanted pho, but still looked at the menu, everything looked good, if i didn't have my heart set on Pho already would of been a hard decision to make. Ordered the Beef Pho, braised oxtail broth was delicious with shredded oxtail throughout the broth. Came with the typical, bean sprouts, lime wedge, jalapeno slices and fresh basil. Added some of everything. Didn't get a picture when my food first came out as I forgot and was hungry, but remembered when 2/3 through. Can't wait to be back in the area to try some of the other menu items. Would recommend if your looking for some food Asian fusion food.”
“Me encanta yo trabaje ahi y que delicia y cuando sos cliente más rica”
“An unexpected delight! The very unassuming exterior houses delicious food, good sized portions, pleasant service, and a very low bill. The sweet and sour chicken and spicy wontons were especially tasty. Would highly recommend!”
“Great food and great people. I always have excellent service and great food when I eat there.”
“Delicious and authentic Hunan noodles with lots of options for proteins. They allow for self-serve cilantro and green onions with fast service and kind staff with customers ordering on a phone.
I only wish there were more vegetables inside the soup”
“After having an amazing whole fried fish at another Chinese restaurant, I have been looking for the same dish at a nearby restaurant. This one met my expectations. Our mapo tofu and curry mixed veggies were good too. The only item that needed improvement was the white rice which was lumpy and too soft.”
“Vegetable fried dumplings, soy sauce noodles, and green onion pancakes were all incredibly good. Staff was supremely helpful, kind, and personable. Highly recommend!”
“Outstanding on the food, just wow just amazing I give this place four stars. From the friendly service to the outstanding food. Great all around..!!!!”
“Everything so tasty. Chicken karage and butakakuni tasked so good.”
“These are the best most authentic pupusas in the area. Great prices as well. I’m glad I found them. Delicious. A little small , just a few tables so best for take out.”
“I’m happy to support The Backhouse. I’ve ordered from them twice now, the $450 deluxe platter, and both times were excellent. You can tell the owner takes pride in her preparation, selects high quality fish, and the rice is cooked and proportioned perfectly. Most importantly, you get to enjoy delicious meal in the comforts of your own home.
Ordering through their website may seem daunting, but it’s actually pretty straight forward. They are also accommodating as I selected the wrong date and corrected with a link they provided. I didn’t have to call or speak to anyone. Their ordering website is intuitive and well designed.”
“Great Pupusas and excellent selection of other Salvadorean and Guatemalan food. I'll miss this place, but will visit whenever I am back in San Mateo!”
“This was our second visit to Avenida. We decided to return because our first experience was outstanding, but unfortunately, this visit fell short in both food and service. We ordered the beef bulalo, which had good flavor, though the beef shank was not as tender as expected. The pork sisig, which was the highlight of our first visit, was noticeably dry this time. The salmon inasal was enjoyable, especially the garlic kangkong that accompanied it, but the mashed potato on the side felt mismatched with the dish. Service began well but became disappointing as the meal went on. Staff asked if we needed boxes while I was still eating, then proceeded to clear dishes without checking if we were finished. Even the extra rice we planned to take home was removed without asking. The bill was brought promptly, giving the impression that we were being rushed, despite the restaurant not being full and with no guests waiting. A more attentive approach like asking if we were finished before clearing plates, confirming whether we wanted to pack leftovers, or checking if we were ready for the bill would have greatly improved the experience. Sadly, this visit was not as enjoyable as our first, and we may not be returning in the near future.”
“This is the first review of 2025. I accidently ordered off the uber app from a whim. Until I read the reviews meanwhile my meal was in route. I think they changed the cook yall. Chicken was cooked well rice as well. Mac needs its home recipe for sure. Was the chicken hot? No it was warm. But I am very impressed by the improvement. I won't be ordering again though. 😂😂😂😂”
“I’m a huge fan of Malatang, and Zhangliang in San Mateo has the best in the Bay Area. It does get busy, but the wait is always worth it. The ingredient selection is extensive, and I always go for the classic bone broth—it’s rich, flavorful, and has that perfect numbing kick. Orders come out quickly and are piping hot, ready to enjoy.”
“best Pizza in SF :)”
“Rolled into town on a Wednesday, looking to book a late night party on the upcoming Saturday. Monica behind the bar grabbed the owner Malhi from next door. They were both super helpful and made it easy. Had a great time with good drinks. Even pumped our own music through their sound system. Nice looking place with chill vibe.”
“Ok, this is great food! Awesome Barbecue and Fried Chicken. Menu is on the website. Don’t forget to tip!”
“When I moved to the Bay Area I was a little worried that I’d have a hard time finding a good pizza place. Lucky for me, tried Amici’s and knew I found my new favorite spot. Thanks to Peter and all the staff for accommodating my requests, can’t recommend this place enough”
“We had red sangria, delicious seafood salad in a tostada shell, chicken enchilada, beef taco, chicken taco combo plate(not pictured) and fried ice cream in a tostada shell. It was so good like everything else we had before.”
“Excellent Cadillac margaritas!! Service and food is always great.”
“Not my usual sushi diner, but we wanted to try out a new place. This restaurant has 2 stories with a staircase.
The service was average. The serving staff couldn’t speak English. We didn’t know Spanish so we had to communicate with body language to ask for some water. The staff that actually took our orders knew English, but he was missing the first 10 minutes, counting from when we finished scanning the menu.
The food was very good. Fresh sashimi and sushi rolls. The only thing that could be improved was the plain udon. As far as I know, even Japanese plain udon contains seaweed, fish cakes and tempura crumbs. This one had none. Literally, just udon and broth, not even chopped green onions.
Vegetarian options: They have veggie dishes, look for the descriptions.
Parking: Free parking after 6pm
Kid-friendliness: Kid’s high chairs and plastic utensils
Wheelchair accessibility: I think first floor dining area is for disabilities and elders.”
“Muy rico, todo el menudo, la barbacoa, los tacos, los mariscos delicioso se los recomiendo.”
“The best place to eat and takeover for the days I don’t want to cook, friendly, clean with delicious and affordable dishes… loved food, the owners care is super friendly and I recommend this experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🚀”
“Reliable sandwich/wrap/toast spot. The servings are big, ingredients taste fresh, and flavors are balanced. Nothing special, but every neighborhood needs a spot like this! Seating is tight inside but probably could fit 10-15, and there is more seating outside. Feels kind of lame that they charge a few cents more for a wheat tortilla.”
“TASTY MEAL & COZY PLACE It was lunch time in San Mateo downtown and I wanted some different for lunch. The ambience was friendly, comfortable, and inviting. At lunch time, there were both the Lunch Menu with many Lunch Plates, multiple Lunch Combos, several Beef Curry bowls, various Donburi bowls, numerous Noodles dishes, and quite a few Nabe pots; and the Lunch Special with 8 different sets which includes soup, salad, and entree. My Curry Soba was delicious and the soba noodles were swimming in the curry sauce. Wow! Lots of sauce. It was heavenly delightful. Lunch Special #2 Bento Box - chicken teriyaki was tender, the tempera had a light batter, and the California roll added a nice touch along with soup, salad, and rice. There was so much food my wife couldn’t finish her meal The service was excellent. We were served with green tea within minutes of seating. The wait staff explained the daily special. The wait staff made the entire experience enjoyable. We had a TASTY MEAL at a COZY PLACE … at Hotaru Japanese Restaurant, San Mateo downtown.”
Latest Reviews
“Still the best kept secret in San Mateo. I’m moving tomorrow and this food is what I’m going to miss the most. The portions are generous, the price is affordable, the service can’t be beat. Cash only. Small parking lot. Family owned and operated. The carne asada is delicious! Actually I haven’t had a bad meal here. Take away is available. You won't be disappointed . Skip the la cumbre and pancho villa. Come get the best!”
Most Popular Restaurants
“I deliver custom cabinets in Silicon Valley from Bend Oregon and when I’m in North Bay I always eat here. Always fabulous food for me and my German Shorthair Pointer. Room to park for my huge delivery van. I have never got anything bad for last 6 yrs it’s always been great”
“We went there for Thanksgiving for the first time. As a vegetarian, I can say I had many options, and what I chose was outstanding. My wife and daughter enjoyed their fish and meat dishes and I can honestly say there wasn’t one dish that wasn’t outstanding. I heartily recommend this place and I’m considering going back for Christmas if they’re open.”
“I really enjoyed my Friday morning visit around 10 a.m. There was about a 5-minute wait, a short line, and all the chairs were taken, lots of people standing around and the space was loud and crowded. I was meeting a friend, and even in the bustle we were able to have a wonderful conversation. By about 10:30, the crowd thinned out, and we found a table to enjoy not just our conversation but also some delicious coffee.
She ordered a flat white and loved it, saying it had a caramel-like taste. I had the Tahitian vanilla latte with oat milk (so good!) and an avocado toast. Next time, I’ll definitely order the avocado toast with an egg and try the miso latte the barista recommended.
The café has seating for maybe 15–20 people, either individually or paired up. Overall, a great spot, I’ll definitely be back!”
New Restaurants
“We loved our experience here. Super trendy, delicious meat, great drinks, and wonderful service. Really can’t get any better. I also liked that we didn’t smell like smoke and food after dinner.
Shout out to Luiza our wonderful server!
Favorite items: bulgogi, pork belly, seafood pancake, and wagyu skirt steak
Will absolutely be back!”
“We had the Octapodaki (grilled octopus) which was quiet delicious probably one of the best I had. The Lamb chops were cooked to perfection full of flavor as well as the dessert bread pudding. Will definitely come back again. The staff were very nice and attentive. The vibe inside restaurant is nice.”
“Happy to have found this lovely bakery in San Mateo downtown. We love their sourdough breads, sweet and savory pastries. They have long lines on the weekends so prepare to wait at-least 10-15 minutes if you are getting coffee with your pastry.
Some of my favorites are “tomato girl”, “Kouign-amann” and “everything croissant bagel”. Their chocolate sourdough and olive sourdough bread are also very unique and tasty.
They also have a cute patio on the back where you can sit, relax and enjoy the food.”
“I will always remember this location! In a desperate time of need they offered my son a free juice without hesitation. That small act of kindness made a huge difference for us. The staff were incredibly friendly, compassionate, and genuinely caring!!! Something you don’t find everywhere.
I love sidewalk juice however I’ve never experienced such amazing customer service as I did at the hillsdale location. Thank you guys!🫶🏼”
“Dosa Express was amazing! The owner was friendly and the service was great. We came in for breakfast, and the food was so tasty and reminded us of Kurnool-style flavors that we ended up ordering takeout too. The ghee podi idli was the best I’ve had (even better than Mylapore in Sunnyvale). We also took Gongura rice and Coconut rice to go, and both were delicious. Highly recommend!”
“Sherash offered impeccable service at our power hour lunchtime, Friday afternoon. The photo you see was a completed service after only 27 minutes from him taking our order. Our chef Brian came from the other Benihana locations (we recognized him from our past trips) and cooked up our food to perfection.
I would highly recommend for a lunch break!”